Running
back Bryson Michel eludes a would-be tackler during the Cumberland Panthers
12-8 win over the Gloucester South Raiders on Wednesday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The Cumberland
Panther tyke team improved its record to 4-0 on Wednesday with a 12-8 win
over the Gloucster South Raiders.

The Panthers
completely dominated the first half except for one series in the second
quarter in which the Raiders managed to move the ball inside Cumberland's
10-yard line before the Panthers finally stopped them.

After the change
of possession, the Panthers moved the ball to midfield where Matthieu Franche
connected with a wide open Abdul-Karim Ismail for a 43-yard touchdcown pass
down the middle to take a 12-0 lead into halftime.

The Panthers
scored their first touchdown in the opening quarter on a six yard run by
Daniel Mellon on third down.

The Raiders narrowed
the Panthers lead to 12-6 with an impressive drive at the start of the second
half that included a pair of third down conversions.

Cole Dumelie
hit Alex Beauchamp with a 15 yard pass on third and five to move the ball
down to the 22 yard line. Dumelie then ran the ball 13 yards to give the
Raiders a first down on the nine. Two plays later they faced a third and
goal situation on the twoin which Dumelie handed the ball off to Beauchamp
who ran up the middle for the touchddown.

The Raiders threatened
again early in the fourth quarter after the Panthers turned the ball over
on downs on their 16 yard line.

A 10-yard reception
from Dumelie to Bailey Brant would give the Raiders a first down on the
three yard line.

After getting
hit for a two yard loss on the first play, the Raiders tried to throw the
ball into the end zone on second and goal from the five, but the pass fell
incomplete. The Raiders tried to pass the ball again on third down, but
Panthers linebacker Olivier Papillon had the play read all the way and chased
Dumelie down from behind for the sack.

After the change
of possession, the Raiders kept the Panthers pinned inside the five yard
line. Rather than risk punting the ball from inside their end zone and risk
potential disaster, the Panthers gave up a safety and kicked the ball from
the 25-yard line.

The Raiders had
two more series to try and make something happen, but Panthers defensive
end Jason Horvath made something happen instead. He broke up a third down
play to end the first series, and then sacked Dumelie on the second series
to end the game.

With the win
the Panthers improved their record to 4-0, which is one win better than
the North Gloucester Giants who are 3-0. Things won't get any easier for
Cumberland this weekend when they take on the Bel-Air Lions who are one
of three undefeated teams in the West Division. Game time is 11 a.m. at
Millenium Park.